Exhausted and discouraged, more than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers deserted

(CLO) Desertions are causing a severe shortage of manpower in the Ukrainian army and paralyzing its operational plans at a crucial moment in the war with Russia, which could put Kiev at a clear disadvantage in future ceasefire negotiations.

Tired and exhausted, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers abandoned their positions and the front line. Some units even abandoned their own positions, leaving the defense line vulnerable and leading to rapid territorial losses. Some soldiers took medical leave and never returned, while others refused to carry out orders, sometimes in the midst of fierce fighting.

“The problem is very serious,” said Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military analyst in Kiev. “This is the third year of the war and the problem will only get worse.”

Ukrainian servicemen install anti-tank mines and unexploded obstacles along the front line near the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade

More than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have deserted

The defections expose deep problems in Kiev’s management of the war, from misguided recruitment campaigns to the spread of frontline units. It comes as the United States has urged Ukraine to recruit more soldiers, including those as young as 18.

More than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been charged with desertion since the conflict began in February 2022, according to the AP. Nearly half of those soldiers deserted last year after Kiev launched a controversial and massive military mobilization. An estimated 300,000 Ukrainian soldiers were fighting before the mobilization began, but the actual number of deserters could be much higher, with one military lawmaker estimating it could be as high as 200,000.

Many soldiers did not return after taking medical leave. Weary of the long war, they were psychologically damaged and felt helpless because of the dim prospect of victory.

One deserter said he was allowed to leave his infantry unit for surgery, but after his leave expired he was unable to return. He was still haunted by the memories of his comrades who died on the battlefield. “I saw my friends being torn apart, and I was afraid that at any moment it could happen to me,” he said.

Feelings of fatigue and frustration also led some soldiers to abandon the battlefield. Serhii Hnezdilov, one of the few soldiers to speak publicly about his decision to desert, said that after five years of service, he had lost hope of being discharged, despite previous promises from his superiors.

No faith in victory

Desertion also poses a serious tactical problem for the Ukrainian army. Military commanders say that many units abandon their positions during fighting, weakening defenses and creating opportunities for enemy attacks. Even in the battle for the town of Vuhledar in October, desertion contributed to the defeat of Ukrainian forces.

According to an officer of the 72nd Brigade, the loss of the town was due to soldiers fleeing, leaving the defenses exposed. Severe shortages of manpower due to deaths, injuries, and desertions had severely weakened the companies. About 20% of the missing soldiers had deserted, and the percentage increased with each month.

When the Ukrainian army realized the dangerous situation, reinforcements were sent, but these units also abandoned their positions later. This forced the battalions to retreat due to lack of support, resulting in heavy losses for the Ukrainian forces.

Graves of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the conflict, at the Lisove cemetery in Kiev, Ukraine. AP Photo

However, many officers in the army do not condemn the deserters. One officer shared that at this point, he could not blame the soldiers, because "everyone is really tired".

The Ukrainian government has tried to persuade the soldiers to return, but to no avail. The deserters are given psychological support, but this does not address the deep-seated problems of morale and exhaustion in the army.

Some deserters sought the assistance of lawyers, and some felt that they could not fight in such harsh conditions.

Desertion was a major challenge for the Ukrainian army at this stage of the war. The soldiers' decisions were not only a sign of morale exhaustion, but also a reflection of the fact that the war had dragged on for so long that people had lost faith in victory.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/kiet-suc-va-chan-nan-hon-100000-linh-ukraine-da-dao-ngu-post323489.html